Hi all,
1. EUROPEAN LIGHT POLLUTION SYMPOSIUM, ARMAGH, 17-19 SEPTEMBER.
ILPAC, the Irish Light Pollution Awareness Campaign, was asked to host this year's
European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky. This is an annual event held in a different country each year and is the main gathering of light pollution experts from around Europe with some speakers also coming from the USA and Japan.
Thanks to the help of Discover Science and Engineering and Armagh Observatory we have put together a great programme of talks that I'm sure you'll find interesting. And in addition to the main event we have free public lectures by Leo Enright in Dublin and Armagh. (You
need to register for these free talks by the way - details on the website www.lightpollution2009.eu ). There will also be excursions to Armagh Planetarium, An Creagan visitor center and the archaeoastronomy site at Beaghmore stone circles for some dark sky observing if clear.
You can see the symposium program, biographies of the speakers and other details on the website. Also pass this on to your colleagues. And if any of you have had dealings with elected council officials or county lighting engineers please tell them to come along. We will have experts in lighting and campaigners who have worked to get better lighting policies
implemented with local town councils to EU and USA federal level who will be happy to help councillors see the benefits of better lighting policy.
Please register as soon as possible so that we know how many to arrange catering and transport for. €30 for the weekend, €20 for either the Friday or Saturday.
http://www.lightpollution2009.eu
2. IYA 2009 COMPETITION - DEADLINE EXTENDED: The major free entry competition being run by the IAA as part of IYA2009 has had the deadline for entries extended to 30 November. Anyone in Ireland, of any age, can enter in various categories, all with a great selection of prizes. See the attached for more details.
3. IAA NEW LECTURE SEASON OPENS: September 23rd: The IAA are delighted to announce that the opening lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's new season will be given by Prof Tom Ray of the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and the Royal Irish Academy. It is entitled "Planning Hubble's Successor, the James Webb Space Telescope". Prof Ray is eminently qualified to talk on this topic, as he is involved in the design of some of the instrumentation which will be going on the telescope! We have had several excellent lectures from Tom before, and we are delighted to welcome him back again. It's on WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
4. MOUNT WILSON OBSERVATORY WILDFIRES: You can see the latest progress of the wildfires threatening historic Mt Wilson Observatory on Google maps at:
http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/ Mt. Wilson is on the eastern edge. JPL is on the southern edge.
You can read the Director's blog on http://www.mtwilson.edu/fire.php
The Towercam, a webcam on the 150-foot solar tower telescope, is pointed towards the approaching fire, but the links may be in danger of going down. See http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/towercam.htm
5. BCO EVENTS: Here are some of the exciting programme of events for September 09. Don't miss Movies by Moonlight, a new exciting programme feature last Saturdays monthly, Culture Night on Sept. 25th and the ever popular First Fridays at the Castle. See www.bco.ie
6. IAS LECTURE: September 7th: The first IAS talk of their new lecture season will be held in Dunsink Observatory, Castleknock, at 8pm. John O'Neill will speak about his recent trip to China to view the total solar eclipse in July.
7. AI LECTURE: September 14th: "Searching for exoplanets: modern methods and future prospects" by Dr. Christopher Allan Watson, Astrophysics Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast. More details at http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture200909.html
8. RIA LECTURE: September 16th: The Royal Irish Academy will host a public lecture in conjunction with the 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky. Well-known broadcaster and science populariser Leo Enright will give a talk titled "What is Light?" at the RIA building on Dawson Street. More details at http://ria.ie/committees/astronomy/new.html
9. September 18th, Art Exhibition: A major exhibition collated by Deirdre Kelleghan will launch at Birr Castle, County Offaly. Titled "In the Footsteps of Galileo", the exhibition will feature drawings and sketches of the Moon created by Irish, American, and many more children along with lunar, solar, planetary, and deep sky sketches made by well known observers and artists such as Sir Patrick Moore, Sally Russell, Jeremy Perez, Sue French, Dan Davis, Jeff Young and many more. More details on http://www.deirdrekelleghan.com/
10. BURREN STAR PARTY: September 26th: Shannonside Astronomy Club will host the inaugural Burren Star Party in Ballyvaughan, County Clare. More details at http://www.shannonsideastronomyclub.com/sac_burren_starparty.htm
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
IAA News by Terry Moseley
Monday, 7 September 2009
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Dark Skies Conference, New IAA website, Lectures, Newgrange, Burren Star Party
Hi all,
1. EUROPEAN DARK SKIES CONFERENCE, ARMAGH, SEP 17-19.
As previously notified, Ireland is honoured to be hosting the next European Dark Skies Conference, on the theme "Light Pollution And Its Impact". The formal title is "THE NINTH EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE NIGHT SKY"
PUBLIC LAUNCH LECTURE IN DUBLIN, Wed 16 Sep:
The Armagh Conference will be preceded by a public launch event in Dublin on Wednesday 16 September, with a public lecture by broadcaster Leo Enright who literally needs no introduction! Entitled "What is Light?", it will take place in the Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin, at 18.30 for 19.00. Admission is free, but will be by ticket only, available from the RIA, www.ria.ie
PUBLIC LAUNCH LECTURE IN ARMAGH, THURSDAY 17 Sep.
Leo will give this public lecture again in Armagh on the next evening, at 19.00 for 19.30, at the Market Place Theatre, Market Place, Armagh.
CONFERENCE, FRIDAY 18 & SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER, MARKET PLACE THEATRE, ARMAGH. The main part of the conference will be held in the same venue on the Friday and Saturday. See www.lightpollution2009.eu
VISIT TO DARK SKY OBSERVING & ARCHAEOASTRONOMY SITE: BEAGHMORE STONE CIRCLES AND ALIGNMENTS. Included in the programme is a free trip by coach to one of the darkest observing sites in N. Ireland on the evening of FRIDAY 18th, which also happens to be one of the most interesting sites from an archaeoastronomy aspect - the Beaghmore Stone Circles and Alignments in the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains in Co Tyrone. We will see the site just before sunset when it is at its best. This trip will also include a FREE buffet meal at the nearby An Creagan Visitors Centre, followed by observing in a very dark sky at Beaghmore if clear.
There is a full and varied programme, covering other aspects such as the waste of energy, environmental and health effects, so it's not just for astronomers! We have lots of top speakers, on various topics, from all over Europe, and from America and beyond; one who is well known to all astronomers in these islands is Dr John Mason.
This is a major honour for Ireland, and Armagh in particular, and sponsorship from (principally) DSE and Armagh Observatory is gratefully acknowledged. It is also a major IYA2009 event for Ireland.
All amateur astronomers should be concerned about increasing light pollution, and this is your opportunity to learn more about it, and what you can do to try to stop it and even reverse it. Please attend if you can: thanks to sponsorship the cost has been kept incredibly low, and it includes morning and afternoon refreshments.
Full details of the latest draft programme, and the subsequent updates, are on the website, http://www.lightpollution2009.eu/
PLEASE REGISTER NOW, if you can attend, so that we know how many to cater for. You will also find details of accommodation in Armagh (assuming you are staying for the whole
conference) and indicating whether you will expect to attend the Beaghmore trip and/or the conference dinner.
I hope to see lots of you there.
2. The IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION HAS LAUNCHED ITS NEW WEBSITE, which is already receiving lots of compliments: See www.irishastro.org This gives details of all the IAA meetings & activities and lots of other up to date information, observations etc. But it's still a work in progress, so all comments and suggestions will be welcome.
3. OPENING LECTURE OF THE NEW IAA SEASON: 23 SEP. We are delighted to announce that the opening lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's new season will be given by Prof Tom Ray of the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and the Royal Irish Academy. It is entitled "Planning Hubble's Successor, the James Webb Space Telescope". Prof Ray is eminently qualified to talk on this topic, as he is involved in the design of some of the instrumentation which will be going on the telescope! We have had several excellent lectures from Tom before, and we are delighted to welcome him back again.
It's on WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
4. ASTRONOMY FOR HERITAGE WEEK AT NEWGRANGE. The Irish Astronomical Association, in conjunction with Armagh Observatory, is delighted to be presenting at the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Newgrange, Co Meath, some of the amazing FETTU (From Earth To The Universe) exhibition photographs which have been produced for IYA 2009. This exhibition will run from 22 Aug. to at least 6 Sep.
5. BURREN STAR PARTY, 26 SEPTEMBER. The Shannonside Astronomy Club are running their annual star party this year at Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, on Saturday 26 September. This is 'instead of' the Whirlpool Star Party in Birr, which will not take place, at least not this year (it's a long story, which I'm not going to go in to!). While the programme is confined to the Saturday, most people will arrive there on the Friday evening, and hope for some clear skies in this dark location on the North coast of Co Clare. Details are on: www.shannonsideastronomyclub.com/sac_burren_starparty.htm
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
1. EUROPEAN DARK SKIES CONFERENCE, ARMAGH, SEP 17-19.
As previously notified, Ireland is honoured to be hosting the next European Dark Skies Conference, on the theme "Light Pollution And Its Impact". The formal title is "THE NINTH EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE NIGHT SKY"
PUBLIC LAUNCH LECTURE IN DUBLIN, Wed 16 Sep:
The Armagh Conference will be preceded by a public launch event in Dublin on Wednesday 16 September, with a public lecture by broadcaster Leo Enright who literally needs no introduction! Entitled "What is Light?", it will take place in the Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin, at 18.30 for 19.00. Admission is free, but will be by ticket only, available from the RIA, www.ria.ie
PUBLIC LAUNCH LECTURE IN ARMAGH, THURSDAY 17 Sep.
Leo will give this public lecture again in Armagh on the next evening, at 19.00 for 19.30, at the Market Place Theatre, Market Place, Armagh.
CONFERENCE, FRIDAY 18 & SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER, MARKET PLACE THEATRE, ARMAGH. The main part of the conference will be held in the same venue on the Friday and Saturday. See www.lightpollution2009.eu
VISIT TO DARK SKY OBSERVING & ARCHAEOASTRONOMY SITE: BEAGHMORE STONE CIRCLES AND ALIGNMENTS. Included in the programme is a free trip by coach to one of the darkest observing sites in N. Ireland on the evening of FRIDAY 18th, which also happens to be one of the most interesting sites from an archaeoastronomy aspect - the Beaghmore Stone Circles and Alignments in the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains in Co Tyrone. We will see the site just before sunset when it is at its best. This trip will also include a FREE buffet meal at the nearby An Creagan Visitors Centre, followed by observing in a very dark sky at Beaghmore if clear.
There is a full and varied programme, covering other aspects such as the waste of energy, environmental and health effects, so it's not just for astronomers! We have lots of top speakers, on various topics, from all over Europe, and from America and beyond; one who is well known to all astronomers in these islands is Dr John Mason.
This is a major honour for Ireland, and Armagh in particular, and sponsorship from (principally) DSE and Armagh Observatory is gratefully acknowledged. It is also a major IYA2009 event for Ireland.
All amateur astronomers should be concerned about increasing light pollution, and this is your opportunity to learn more about it, and what you can do to try to stop it and even reverse it. Please attend if you can: thanks to sponsorship the cost has been kept incredibly low, and it includes morning and afternoon refreshments.
Full details of the latest draft programme, and the subsequent updates, are on the website, http://www.lightpollution2009.eu/
PLEASE REGISTER NOW, if you can attend, so that we know how many to cater for. You will also find details of accommodation in Armagh (assuming you are staying for the whole
conference) and indicating whether you will expect to attend the Beaghmore trip and/or the conference dinner.
I hope to see lots of you there.
2. The IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION HAS LAUNCHED ITS NEW WEBSITE, which is already receiving lots of compliments: See www.irishastro.org This gives details of all the IAA meetings & activities and lots of other up to date information, observations etc. But it's still a work in progress, so all comments and suggestions will be welcome.
3. OPENING LECTURE OF THE NEW IAA SEASON: 23 SEP. We are delighted to announce that the opening lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's new season will be given by Prof Tom Ray of the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and the Royal Irish Academy. It is entitled "Planning Hubble's Successor, the James Webb Space Telescope". Prof Ray is eminently qualified to talk on this topic, as he is involved in the design of some of the instrumentation which will be going on the telescope! We have had several excellent lectures from Tom before, and we are delighted to welcome him back again.
It's on WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
4. ASTRONOMY FOR HERITAGE WEEK AT NEWGRANGE. The Irish Astronomical Association, in conjunction with Armagh Observatory, is delighted to be presenting at the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Newgrange, Co Meath, some of the amazing FETTU (From Earth To The Universe) exhibition photographs which have been produced for IYA 2009. This exhibition will run from 22 Aug. to at least 6 Sep.
5. BURREN STAR PARTY, 26 SEPTEMBER. The Shannonside Astronomy Club are running their annual star party this year at Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, on Saturday 26 September. This is 'instead of' the Whirlpool Star Party in Birr, which will not take place, at least not this year (it's a long story, which I'm not going to go in to!). While the programme is confined to the Saturday, most people will arrive there on the Friday evening, and hope for some clear skies in this dark location on the North coast of Co Clare. Details are on: www.shannonsideastronomyclub.com/sac_burren_starparty.htm
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
Friday, 7 August 2009
Perseid BBQ, IYA2009 events, Lectures, Competitions, and MUCH more
Hi all,
1. IAA PERSEID BBQ: Delamont Country Park.
The Irish Astronomical Association will hold a Perseid Observing Night + BBQ, at Delamont Country Park, near Killyleagh, Co Down, on the evening of Wed 12 August, from 7.30 p.m till late. It's actually going to be more of a 'Fry-up' than BBQ, to save on the clearing up later! The usual rules apply - bring your own food, drink, plates, cutlery, glasses, mugs etc, and if you have a small portable cooker (gas or liquid fuel), bring it too. There are picnic tables to cook and sit and eat at, but you should bring a lounger (or groundsheet + rug & sleeping bag), and warm clothes etc for Perseid observing (See last email, and below for an update on the Perseids)
COMPETITION just for fun - there is a challenge to see who captures the first Perseid of the night on camera. On film or digital. President's decision is final in case of any disputes! Prize still to be decided.
WEATHER: If the weather is dubious, please check the IAA website (www.irishastro.org) at 18.00h on the 12th to make sure it's going ahead.
ADMITTANCE: It's free admission, but the barrier will not open to admit you after 9 p.m. so BE SURE TO BE THERE BEFORE 9.p.m. You can exit anytime.
DIRECTIONS: Delamont CP is clearly signposted, on the A22 between Killyleagh and Downpatrick.
2. IYA 2009 at CARNFUNNOCK COUNTRY PARK, SATURDAY 15 AUGUST. The next Irish Astronomical Association event for IYA 2009 will be a 'Solar Day' at Carnfunnock Country Park, Drains Bay, North of Larne in Co Antrim (Well signposted on the A2). It will run from 2 p.m. to about 5 p.m. We will have special solar telescopes showing the Sun safely in various wavelengths (if the sky is clear), plus shows in a mobile planetarium, plus a talk by Derek Heatly, now counting down the months and days for his first flight into space, plus an exhibition, telescopes & binoculars etc. Normal admission rates apply, with no extra charge for the planetarium shows. IAA Members bringing telescopes for the event get in free.
3. IYA 2009 at MOUNT STEWART NT, SUNDAY 16 AUGUST. The next day, the Irish Astronomical Association will run another event for IYA 2009. Another 'Solar Day', combined with a Rocket Launching Competition run by Armagh Planetarium, at Mount Stewart NT House & Gardens, which is well signposted on the A20, just South of Greyabbey. It will run from 2 p.m. to about 5 p.m. We will have special solar telescopes showing the Sun safely in various wavelengths (if the sky is clear), plus shows in a mobile planetarium, plus a talk by Derek Heatly, now counting down the months and days for his first flight into space, plus an exhibition, telescopes & binoculars etc. Normal admission rates apply, with no extra charge for the planetarium shows. IAA Members bringing telescopes for the event get in free.
4. August 7 - Cosmos vs Canvas: Tensions Between Art and Science in Astronomy Images - by Jayanne English. Taking place in the Science Gallery, TCD.
Dr Jayanne English will present a talk in the Science Gallery, TCD, on August 7th. The talk is called Cosmos versus Canvas: Tensions between Art and Science in Astronomy Images, and explores how we perceive astronomical images as science or art – especially when they have been highly processed. More details on the talk can be found at http://www.science.ie/EN/index.cfm/section/events/page/eventPage/event_key/414
5. 10 August, Public Lecture "Mad About Meteorites"
A Mars rock, the rarest type of rock in the world, will make a star appearance at AI's August Public Lecture, as will a piece of the Moon brought back by the Apollo astronauts.
Both objects will be under tight security as they are extremely valuable. The Mars meteorite alone is estimated to be worth over €25,000 - that's MORE than its weight in gold!
Dr Matthew Parkes will talk about how meteorites can give us the opportunity to investigate the origins of the Solar System and how it was formed. He will explain how particularly unusual meteorites arrive on Earth, and will show guests one such meteorite - a Mars meteorite! Finally, Dr Parkes will describe the consequences to Earth and humanity should a very large object strike our home planet.
The lecture will take place in Trinity College Dublin (Fitzgerald Building) at 8pm.
6. TELESCOPE FREE OR FOR NOMINAL PRICE: Brian Noonan of the Irish Astronomical Society wants to dispose of an 8.5-inch f/6 telescope he co-built in 1970, which is available FREE or for a nominal cost to anyone interested.
The telescope is on a fork-mount with a worm gear drive (not motorised) and the mirror has been recently re-aluminised. The telescope is currently in County Cavan with the mirror removed and in alternate temporary storage there.
If you are interested then the telescope MUST be collected by this weekend (August 8/9) or the school where it currently is will dispose of it (their ultimatum!) The mirror is in safekeeping with a former teacher so that will survive (the mirror would not be available this weekend, but in about a fortnight's time.)
Anyone seriously interested in acquiring this historic instrument (octagonal wooden tube styled along the lines of Herschel's telescopes) should contact Brian Noonan on 086-1976673 in the next day or two for more detailed information.
Brian's teacher friend also has a 4-inch Vixen achromat refractor on a Polaris mount with a Sky Sensor drive for sale (price €500 to €600 for this newer instrument).
7. PERSEIDS UPDATE: POSSIBLE PERSEID METEOR OUTBURST: There is a possibility we may pass through a ribbon of meteoric material on the morning of August 12th, leading to higher numbers of fainter meteors. According to NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, a filament of comet dust has drifted across Earth's path and when Earth passes through it, sometime between 0800 and 0900 UT (09.00 to 10.00 BST) on August 12th, the Perseid meteor rate could surge to twice its normal value. This is after daylight in Ireland, but it would still be worth checking just before dawn on the 12th in case the timing is wrong, or the activity has a wider spread than predicted. Check http://spaceweather.com for details and observing tips.
8. JOCELYN BELL BURNELL COMPETITION: The University of Ulster and Armagh Planetarium are running a competition to celebrate the achievements of Jocelyn Bell Burnell from Co Armagh. The competition is open to all people aged 14 - 19 in the island of Ireland. For more details see the poster at: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4Kok-AsJblKMzgwMTYzZGMtOTMyMS00MzRiLTk4YjktZTg0NDZkZTdiZjFm&hl=en
9. PUBLIC LECTURES BY LEO ENRIGHT ON LIGHT POLLUTION: As part of the 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky to be held in Armagh in September there will be a free public lecture held in Dublin on Wednesday 16th September at 7pm.
PUBLIC LECTURE BY LEO ENRIGHT, Wednesday 16th September 2009, 7pm
Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
Leo Enright, a broadcaster on Space Exploration and Science, explores the history of Ireland’s sometimes tenuous connection with luminosity – while naming and shaming some modern big wicks. He will focus on the importance of continuing public access to dark skies, especially during the present ‘Golden Age’ of astronomy, whilst noting that historically Ireland has sometimes been defined by the absence of light – as why else would the Romans have called it Hibernia?
The public lecture is being given as part of the 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky that takes place from 17 – 19 September 2009 in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. More info: http://www.lightpollution2009.eu/
The lecture is hosted by the Royal Irish Academy and while admission is free places are limited so if you plan on attending please book your tickets through the RIA shop http://shop.ria.ie/shop/ . A poster for this event is available to download from http://www.ria.ie/mailings/Dark%20Skies%20lecture/web%20flier.pdf
10. ECLIPSE OF EPSILON AURIGAE.
This amazing star, which has the longest known period of any eclipsing variable (9892 days, or over 27 years), will start its next eclipse on 11 August. It is also one of the brightest stars known, with a luminosity about 200,000 times that of the Sun! But the whole event takes place over such a long timescale that the eclipse won't be complete until Dec 19, i.e. that's when the total phase starts. The eclipse will last until 13 May 2011!
Epsilon, which is the most Northerly of the triangle of stars making up 'The Kids' beside Capella, and the closest to Capella, is normally magnitude 2.9 or 3.0, but fades to 3.8 during the eclipse. The eclipse is thought to be caused, not by another star as in the case of Algol (Beta Persei), but by a huge opaque disc of dust and gas orbiting the companion star. Even more interesting is that there is a short period of brightening during the middle of the eclipse! This is thought to be due to a hole in the centre of the occulting disc.
The eclipse can be monitored visually just by comparing the brightness of Epsilon with other nearby stars such as Eta, the second star in the triangle, i.e. second closest to Capella (magnitude 3.2).
Other nearby comparison stars are Iota Aurigae, (2.7), Theta Aurigae (magnitude 2.62 - 2.70), Delta Aurigae (3.73), Nu Persei (3.77), Nu Aurigae (3.97), Xi Persei (4.00-4.06) and 58 Persei (magnitude 4.25)
Do not use Zeta, the triangle star furthest from Capella, for magnitude comparison as it is also an eclipsing binary, although a more normal one, with a period of 972 days and a variation range of 3.6 to 4.0. However, since there are not many comparison stars of suitable magnitude nearby, you could use Zeta for visual comparison (NOT CCD), provided that you only do so when it is at normal brightness (3.6), which will apply EXCEPT during the period from about 1 to 20 Dec 2009.
Epsilon's fading from 2.9 to 3.8 will take place over the period from 11 August to 19 December (approximately: it is difficult to be precise with an event which takes place over such a long period), so you won't notice any variation visually from night to night, and brightness estimates on a weekly basis will suffice.
Accurate photoelectric or CCD measurements of the light variation will be scientifically valuable, and careful and accurate visual estimates will be useful too. Send them to the Variable Star Section of the BAA, or the AAVSO.
Clear Skies,
Terry Moseley
1. IAA PERSEID BBQ: Delamont Country Park.
The Irish Astronomical Association will hold a Perseid Observing Night + BBQ, at Delamont Country Park, near Killyleagh, Co Down, on the evening of Wed 12 August, from 7.30 p.m till late. It's actually going to be more of a 'Fry-up' than BBQ, to save on the clearing up later! The usual rules apply - bring your own food, drink, plates, cutlery, glasses, mugs etc, and if you have a small portable cooker (gas or liquid fuel), bring it too. There are picnic tables to cook and sit and eat at, but you should bring a lounger (or groundsheet + rug & sleeping bag), and warm clothes etc for Perseid observing (See last email, and below for an update on the Perseids)
COMPETITION just for fun - there is a challenge to see who captures the first Perseid of the night on camera. On film or digital. President's decision is final in case of any disputes! Prize still to be decided.
WEATHER: If the weather is dubious, please check the IAA website (www.irishastro.org) at 18.00h on the 12th to make sure it's going ahead.
ADMITTANCE: It's free admission, but the barrier will not open to admit you after 9 p.m. so BE SURE TO BE THERE BEFORE 9.p.m. You can exit anytime.
DIRECTIONS: Delamont CP is clearly signposted, on the A22 between Killyleagh and Downpatrick.
2. IYA 2009 at CARNFUNNOCK COUNTRY PARK, SATURDAY 15 AUGUST. The next Irish Astronomical Association event for IYA 2009 will be a 'Solar Day' at Carnfunnock Country Park, Drains Bay, North of Larne in Co Antrim (Well signposted on the A2). It will run from 2 p.m. to about 5 p.m. We will have special solar telescopes showing the Sun safely in various wavelengths (if the sky is clear), plus shows in a mobile planetarium, plus a talk by Derek Heatly, now counting down the months and days for his first flight into space, plus an exhibition, telescopes & binoculars etc. Normal admission rates apply, with no extra charge for the planetarium shows. IAA Members bringing telescopes for the event get in free.
3. IYA 2009 at MOUNT STEWART NT, SUNDAY 16 AUGUST. The next day, the Irish Astronomical Association will run another event for IYA 2009. Another 'Solar Day', combined with a Rocket Launching Competition run by Armagh Planetarium, at Mount Stewart NT House & Gardens, which is well signposted on the A20, just South of Greyabbey. It will run from 2 p.m. to about 5 p.m. We will have special solar telescopes showing the Sun safely in various wavelengths (if the sky is clear), plus shows in a mobile planetarium, plus a talk by Derek Heatly, now counting down the months and days for his first flight into space, plus an exhibition, telescopes & binoculars etc. Normal admission rates apply, with no extra charge for the planetarium shows. IAA Members bringing telescopes for the event get in free.
4. August 7 - Cosmos vs Canvas: Tensions Between Art and Science in Astronomy Images - by Jayanne English. Taking place in the Science Gallery, TCD.
Dr Jayanne English will present a talk in the Science Gallery, TCD, on August 7th. The talk is called Cosmos versus Canvas: Tensions between Art and Science in Astronomy Images, and explores how we perceive astronomical images as science or art – especially when they have been highly processed. More details on the talk can be found at http://www.science.ie/EN/index.cfm/section/events/page/eventPage/event_key/414
5. 10 August, Public Lecture "Mad About Meteorites"
A Mars rock, the rarest type of rock in the world, will make a star appearance at AI's August Public Lecture, as will a piece of the Moon brought back by the Apollo astronauts.
Both objects will be under tight security as they are extremely valuable. The Mars meteorite alone is estimated to be worth over €25,000 - that's MORE than its weight in gold!
Dr Matthew Parkes will talk about how meteorites can give us the opportunity to investigate the origins of the Solar System and how it was formed. He will explain how particularly unusual meteorites arrive on Earth, and will show guests one such meteorite - a Mars meteorite! Finally, Dr Parkes will describe the consequences to Earth and humanity should a very large object strike our home planet.
The lecture will take place in Trinity College Dublin (Fitzgerald Building) at 8pm.
6. TELESCOPE FREE OR FOR NOMINAL PRICE: Brian Noonan of the Irish Astronomical Society wants to dispose of an 8.5-inch f/6 telescope he co-built in 1970, which is available FREE or for a nominal cost to anyone interested.
The telescope is on a fork-mount with a worm gear drive (not motorised) and the mirror has been recently re-aluminised. The telescope is currently in County Cavan with the mirror removed and in alternate temporary storage there.
If you are interested then the telescope MUST be collected by this weekend (August 8/9) or the school where it currently is will dispose of it (their ultimatum!) The mirror is in safekeeping with a former teacher so that will survive (the mirror would not be available this weekend, but in about a fortnight's time.)
Anyone seriously interested in acquiring this historic instrument (octagonal wooden tube styled along the lines of Herschel's telescopes) should contact Brian Noonan on 086-1976673 in the next day or two for more detailed information.
Brian's teacher friend also has a 4-inch Vixen achromat refractor on a Polaris mount with a Sky Sensor drive for sale (price €500 to €600 for this newer instrument).
7. PERSEIDS UPDATE: POSSIBLE PERSEID METEOR OUTBURST: There is a possibility we may pass through a ribbon of meteoric material on the morning of August 12th, leading to higher numbers of fainter meteors. According to NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, a filament of comet dust has drifted across Earth's path and when Earth passes through it, sometime between 0800 and 0900 UT (09.00 to 10.00 BST) on August 12th, the Perseid meteor rate could surge to twice its normal value. This is after daylight in Ireland, but it would still be worth checking just before dawn on the 12th in case the timing is wrong, or the activity has a wider spread than predicted. Check http://spaceweather.com for details and observing tips.
8. JOCELYN BELL BURNELL COMPETITION: The University of Ulster and Armagh Planetarium are running a competition to celebrate the achievements of Jocelyn Bell Burnell from Co Armagh. The competition is open to all people aged 14 - 19 in the island of Ireland. For more details see the poster at: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4Kok-AsJblKMzgwMTYzZGMtOTMyMS00MzRiLTk4YjktZTg0NDZkZTdiZjFm&hl=en
9. PUBLIC LECTURES BY LEO ENRIGHT ON LIGHT POLLUTION: As part of the 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky to be held in Armagh in September there will be a free public lecture held in Dublin on Wednesday 16th September at 7pm.
PUBLIC LECTURE BY LEO ENRIGHT, Wednesday 16th September 2009, 7pm
Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
Leo Enright, a broadcaster on Space Exploration and Science, explores the history of Ireland’s sometimes tenuous connection with luminosity – while naming and shaming some modern big wicks. He will focus on the importance of continuing public access to dark skies, especially during the present ‘Golden Age’ of astronomy, whilst noting that historically Ireland has sometimes been defined by the absence of light – as why else would the Romans have called it Hibernia?
The public lecture is being given as part of the 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky that takes place from 17 – 19 September 2009 in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. More info: http://www.lightpollution2009.eu/
The lecture is hosted by the Royal Irish Academy and while admission is free places are limited so if you plan on attending please book your tickets through the RIA shop http://shop.ria.ie/shop/ . A poster for this event is available to download from http://www.ria.ie/mailings/Dark%20Skies%20lecture/web%20flier.pdf
10. ECLIPSE OF EPSILON AURIGAE.
This amazing star, which has the longest known period of any eclipsing variable (9892 days, or over 27 years), will start its next eclipse on 11 August. It is also one of the brightest stars known, with a luminosity about 200,000 times that of the Sun! But the whole event takes place over such a long timescale that the eclipse won't be complete until Dec 19, i.e. that's when the total phase starts. The eclipse will last until 13 May 2011!
Epsilon, which is the most Northerly of the triangle of stars making up 'The Kids' beside Capella, and the closest to Capella, is normally magnitude 2.9 or 3.0, but fades to 3.8 during the eclipse. The eclipse is thought to be caused, not by another star as in the case of Algol (Beta Persei), but by a huge opaque disc of dust and gas orbiting the companion star. Even more interesting is that there is a short period of brightening during the middle of the eclipse! This is thought to be due to a hole in the centre of the occulting disc.
The eclipse can be monitored visually just by comparing the brightness of Epsilon with other nearby stars such as Eta, the second star in the triangle, i.e. second closest to Capella (magnitude 3.2).
Other nearby comparison stars are Iota Aurigae, (2.7), Theta Aurigae (magnitude 2.62 - 2.70), Delta Aurigae (3.73), Nu Persei (3.77), Nu Aurigae (3.97), Xi Persei (4.00-4.06) and 58 Persei (magnitude 4.25)
Do not use Zeta, the triangle star furthest from Capella, for magnitude comparison as it is also an eclipsing binary, although a more normal one, with a period of 972 days and a variation range of 3.6 to 4.0. However, since there are not many comparison stars of suitable magnitude nearby, you could use Zeta for visual comparison (NOT CCD), provided that you only do so when it is at normal brightness (3.6), which will apply EXCEPT during the period from about 1 to 20 Dec 2009.
Epsilon's fading from 2.9 to 3.8 will take place over the period from 11 August to 19 December (approximately: it is difficult to be precise with an event which takes place over such a long period), so you won't notice any variation visually from night to night, and brightness estimates on a weekly basis will suffice.
Accurate photoelectric or CCD measurements of the light variation will be scientifically valuable, and careful and accurate visual estimates will be useful too. Send them to the Variable Star Section of the BAA, or the AAVSO.
Clear Skies,
Terry Moseley
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